p.2 #2 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
Eric,
you and your wife had the amazing experience of seeing them and photographing them. They will now, because of your record, in some way always be around. You've stated the odds yourself, it's not easy for a Leopard mom to raise even one cub. But three to adulthood is probably unheard of.
Thank you for sharing these, I can't and won't do top picks.
p.2 #4 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
Eric very sad, but what wonderful photographs of such regal creatures. I hope I get the chance to se animals like this in February on my trip to Tanzania .(even though I know that is not great leopard territory). I suspect this will be the first of many trips to Africa and I can honestly say its fuelled by seeing these gots shots of yours
p.2 #5 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
It's no surprise to me that you were gifted these cubs to photograph and appreciate and to share. You have earned Natures rewards.................with it comes some joyous moments and some heartbreaks.
Emotion, that is our weakness and our gift and it is very powerful in each of the ways. Trying to rationalize the possible losses of these if not fair to you, you have to be as strong as Nature.................Time, it takes, it heals and it continues on........................there will be more for you my friend to appreciate from Natures gifts
p.2 #6 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
Beautiful set of images. I have experienced the heart ache also watching Grizzly's tear up elk calves. Survival of the fittest is sometimes hard to see.
p.2 #7 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
KCollett wrote:
Absolutely stunning set Eric. What an incredible opportunity, and such a poignant story to go with these lovely images.
Thanks Ken, I was very lucky, arguably much luckier than the cubs have turned out to be unfortunately...but even still, having the opportunity to photograph these little ones was special indeed.
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kwilliam8 wrote:
These are some truly great images, Eric. Sorry to hear of their fate. The bookends song from Simon and Garfunkel has always touched me, and seems very appropriate here. Thanks for sharing these wonderful images.
Keith W.
Thanks Keith....we recognize just how fragile life can be both in the animal world and of course more recently for us as well
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jeffdjohnston wrote:
"How do you separate your emotions?"
You don't.
I've learned to appreciate the fact that I have been imbued with compassion even though it makes life difficult sometimes. In the end, I'd rather have it than live without it.
Jeff
In general I agree...having compassion and empathy is something you have or don't have...you can try to fake it but it's pretty obvious when that is the case.
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Chris Schlaf wrote:
Really wonderful set of images Eric :-)
Chris
Thanks so much Chris, when the natural world produces a gift like this even though it may be snuffed out much too soon it is truly a miracle.
p.2 #11 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
surfnron wrote:
The adorableness of these shots make the tragedy more intense Eric ~ Ron
I agree...kids arouse so much emotion
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1bwana1 wrote:
A very special set. I all my years I never saw a set of triplets. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, it was such a pleasant surprise
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AGeoJO wrote:
Kind of late to the "party" here but, Eric, your images and the story are very captivating. Thank you for sharing them regardless how it may have ended...
Joshua
Nah, the party’s just getting started...thanks for your kind words.
Eric
p.2 #13 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
kdacharya wrote:
the circle of life always depresses me. These images are more precious now that the little ones are gone.
YGMV
That circle oft times hits home as well and so we must cherish the life we have more than ever
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Lil Judd wrote:
Eric,
you and your wife had the amazing experience of seeing them and photographing them. They will now, because of your record, in some way always be around. You've stated the odds yourself, it's not easy for a Leopard mom to raise even one cub. But three to adulthood is probably unheard of.
Thank you for sharing these, I can't and won't do top picks.
Lil
Thanks Lil....I often wonder about many of the animals I have seen on past trips especially the cats that are given names and who I have been fortunate to photograph. Understanding the odds does not make it any easier but I know that biology will now allow for that particular leopardess to again go into estrus and within 4-6 months have another litter. I wonder out loud sometimes whether it would have been better not to know they existed at all...not sure about that and still pondering that question.
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Lightsearcher wrote:
OMG what a beautiful set Eric, I really enjoyed it and voted for it also..!!
Very sad if they didn't make it, such a beautiful creatures.
Marcelo
Thanks so much Marcelo...it was a moment in time that I will always savor even knowing that they did not make it to independence.
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Dave_E wrote:
Eric very sad, but what wonderful photographs of such regal creatures. I hope I get the chance to se animals like this in February on my trip to Tanzania .(even though I know that is not great leopard territory). I suspect this will be the first of many trips to Africa and I can honestly say its fuelled by seeing these gots shots of yours
regards
dave
It is sad regardless of the understanding of the harsh life and long odds faced by young of all species in the bush. Hopefully you will have some moments that will cause your heart to both race and be touched....going to Africa is life changing in so many ways.
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Karl Witt wrote:
It's no surprise to me that you were gifted these cubs to photograph and appreciate and to share. You have earned Natures rewards.................with it comes some joyous moments and some heartbreaks.
Emotion, that is our weakness and our gift and it is very powerful in each of the ways. Trying to rationalize the possible losses of these if not fair to you, you have to be as strong as Nature.................Time, it takes, it heals and it continues on........................there will be more for you my friend to appreciate from Natures gifts
Take care
Karl
Thanks so much Karl...I have, over decades, learned to separate being clinical from being emotional and yet still show empathy. We put into perspective loss of life with some being "natural" and others senseless. The past week has has been very difficult as I try to wrestle with what seems all too pervasive in our society
p.2 #17 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
Don’t know what to say. Let me start with “Wow !". You are a lucky man Eric. Few in the world get to witness such things. Yes, this set has to get my vote too.
p.2 #20 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
Don George wrote:
Beautiful set of images. I have experienced the heart ache also watching Grizzly's tear up elk calves. Survival of the fittest is sometimes hard to see.
It is indeed difficult to witness...not knowing was to some extent a bit easier...so there was hope and in fact when they were eventually found I got to experience elation all over again
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G.E. Smith wrote:
Eric, I have throughly enjoyed your entire Africa series. Incredible work with stunning images. Sad ending. Thank you for sharing.
Greg
Many thanks Greg and luckily, at least for now, the ending seems to have been re-written as a much happier story
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bobbytan wrote:
Simply adorable, Eric!
Thanks Bobby, little ones of all species seem to exude that but these particularly were quite cut
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40Driggs wrote:
I'm glad you got to at least capture these moments. Thanks for sharing!
Much appreciated and for now the new is a bit better. Whether all three have survived is at question but if two can make it that would be wonderful...I will stay tuned and hope to hear more news going forward
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Howard Kearley wrote:
an emotional read Eric, and thats before I got to the photos, Beautiful.
Howard.
Thanks Howard....I had such ambivalence in posting these as I feared they were no longer extant....I can now smile when I look at them...but it is still very early and survival is still not certain.
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juankgigo wrote:
Those kittens are super cute! thanks for sharing!
Thanks Juan....they were so tiny...much like little kittens.
